Marcus Freeman made sure to express his disappointment with Notre Dame’s playoff failure in 2025. But looking at what the 2026 season has in store, Freeman and the Fighting Irish have something to cheer about.

The College Football Playoff management committee is expected to stick to the 12-team format for the 2026 season, On3 reported, after the SEC and the Big Ten differed on their expansion plans. The SEC wanted to go up to 16 teams, while the Big Ten had argued for a 24-team playoff. The latter would have been on board with the SEC’s suggestion if there was room for the 24-team idea in the future.

This means that Notre Dame will be granted a spot in the 12-team bracket if it finishes within the Top 12 in the final CFP ranking of the 2026 season. This is by way of the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding signed between conference commissioners and Notre Dame, which also guarantees that automatic bids will go to the conference champions, no matter where they rank. Had the bracket been expanded to 14 teams, Notre Dame would have had to rank No. 13 or higher.

Notre Dame had caused quite the ruckus after Miami overtook them in the final rankings in 2025. The CFP committee’s decision proved to be damaging for the program, as it had to sit and watch the Hurricanes make it all the way up to the National Championship game. The Fighting Irish were there a year ago and were hoping to return this year. As peculiar as the new rule sounds, athletic director Pete Bevacqua is all for it.

“People have asked me, ‘Well, how come Notre Dame gets that benefit?’” Bevacqua said at a presser last year. “And we still have to prove it on the field more than anybody. We still have to put ourselves in that area, that zip code of a top 12 team, but we want to protect ourselves against what happened this year.”

Notre Dame is starting afresh this year after locking down Marcus Freeman for the upcoming season. He has led the program through a steady rise during his tenure as head coach and has no plans to settle for a mediocre result. Much to his relief, the experts are also high on Notre Dame’s 2026 success.

Notre Dame slated for Top-10 performance in 2026, despite challenges

Notre Dame might have seen a tough 2025 season, but the upcoming one holds great promise for the team. In ESPN’s way-too-early top 25 rankings for the 2026 season, the Irish found themselves at a comfortable No. 3. While this scenario would be the dream for Notre Dame, it’s easier said than done for the team to attain that ranking because of their schedule and roster strength.

The biggest departures from the team are Jeremiyah Love and Jadarien Price, the team’s star running backs. TE Eli Raridon, WR Malachi Fields, and OL Billy Schrauth are other important losses. However, they still have a star QB in CJ Carr, who can do a lot of good if he develops his strengths. Plus, nine of the defense’s elite tacklers will come back for the 2026 season.

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The 2026 schedule for Notre Dame also looks relatively easy, but it will still be a taxing climb for Notre Dame. Losses will not help the program’s independent status, which forces it to do nothing but win in the season. Once again, the Irish have to look out for Miami – a clash that cost Notre Dame a playoff berth. The other key matchup is against the Big 12’s BYU.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure we leave no doubt, and moving forward, we can’t blame it on somebody else,” Freeman said at a press conference in January. Given their brutal snub from the playoffs this season, the Fighting Irish sure are fired up for the 2026 season. Now that they simply have to hold their ground and make it to the Top 12, the Irish seem to be making good use of the boost that they will get from the rule change.